fargo



May l5, 1923. .1,455,524

c. R. FARGO LOOSE LEAF BINDER SUPPORT Filed July 12 1918 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 gaga) am 4! 'de 1. @f7

l? 11'! 49 ya l f J3 i Y L TVE l-T :LE C ninas 1. F4260.

Maya-f5, 1 923'. 1,455,524 c. R. FARGO LOOSE LEAF BIVNDERSUPPORT Filed July 12, 191e s sheets-.sheet I TV EUR.

CHI/245s H4260 Patented May 15, 1923. j

UNITED jsra'maisl CHARLES n.

v Lo'osn-nEAr-BINDR 'SUPPORT'.

. Application filed .'ruiyrla, 1918. serai ivo. A244,531?.

by declare that the following is av full, clear,

and exact description of the same, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, and to the lnumerals of reference marked thereon, which form apart of this specification.

Hy invention has reference more particularly to a device for adjustably supporting loose leaf binders sow as to facilitate ma` nipulation and use of the binder and leaves, and also has reference to a loose leaf binder which is particularly adapted for use with a support of this character. j

In using loose leaf books, and particularly in what is known as machine book-keeping, whereinthe leaves are assembled and contained in a loose leaf binder which is adapted so that the-various leaves thereof may be selected vand removed to have entries made thereon ,and vthen replacedin proper relation with the other leaves of the binder, itis desirable that the covers of the binder 3o may be separated and' heldin proper position so that the leaveslean against lone kof the covers in convenient view and so that selection and removal of the leaves can :be easily effected, .andV also so that the other cover of the binder is 'held in position to have the leaves which are taken fromthe position against theother cover laid thereon in position so that the binder may be readily reassembled with the leaves in their pro-per sequence when the work is'completed. To this end, it isnot only necessary that a suitable binderv Vbe employed for lthe leaves which permitstheneceary separation and arrangement of the covers thereof, together with means which `will hold'the leaves in the proper alignment whenfthe covers are separated and also `permit 'ready removal and insure replacement of the. leaves in proper relation, but itis alsodesirable to provide means for supporting the binder and the leaves which ',willenableithe covers to be readily separated and replaced and will hold the parts of the binder and the leaves in pro er position 1t0facilitate-selection','re1nova and transfer of the,l leaves FARGO, or CHIoAeogfILLrNoIs, AssIeNoR To wILslori-.Trilvns4 roost: LEAF frbm one positionto the which 'j will enablethe o-perator to: secure perfect l adjustmentfor positioning of the parts andenable him to manipulate the binder fand perform the work convenientlyv and without loss oftime. f f, i j

It is an object therefore'fof my `inventitm to provide an adjustable support for loose leaf binders and .leaves` lwhich enablesthe binderpto bereadilyassembled and dis-.assembled thereon and facilitates `manipulationV and replacement'v ofthe leaves the A' l j binder.

f It is a vfurther;object of myinvention tol pro-vide a support which may Ibe adjusted to enable the covers of the binder to be `easily l detachedl and separated and which may also be adjusted vto facilitate reassembling the i binder covers and :leaves after the work thereon is completed.

Another object of my'invention .tojprovide a loose leaf binder ,tray` or support having a base forengaging thelower edges f of the leaves, and a support for the cover pivotally related thereto Which may be adjusted to secure the desired upsetting of the leaves to facilitate selection thereof.

Another objectof. my invention is to'provide 'a support for a loose leaf binder-'chav-` ing an adjustable support for each cover of the binder whereby the angular relationof adapted to co-operate with a binder support,

and which is adjustable in width to accommodate ay varying number of leaves. j Another object of my vinvention isto pro`. vide .a binderwhich is'adjustable to accommodate a varyingv number of leaves 'be-A tween the. covers thereof, and which is adapted to have the covers separated and l* placedfon a binder supportl to permit selection and removal of the leaves, and wherein j anextensible, resilient locking memberA vis kemployed whichis adaptedto befrernoved and replaced without removing thev b-inder from the support and fwhichis adapted to" be compressed between. the vcoversofk the l binder so thatseparation of the binder covleaves of the binder set up ready` for selec# 'tionand transfer to the binder.

Figure`2 shows a similar view with l'all the leaves transferred to the disposed-of side of the binder andl thelocking pin in place, the support for said disposed-of sider of the binderbeing dropped down from the position shown in Figure l, to theposition for reeassembling thevother cover of the vbinder the disposed-of side of thereon.

Figure 3 is an end view of the parts shown in Figure 1, illustratingadjustments thereof. ,Figure 4 is a topor plan view of the suppojr't with the binder removed.

rFigure 5 is a view looking at the right hand end of Figure 4. f' lFigure 6 isA a view looking at the left hand end'ofFigure Y f v Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view on theline 7-7 of Figure 4. Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on the line 8-8 of Figure 5, showing the supporting brace connection. Figure 9 isa similar view on the line 9-9 of Figure `5, showingthe manner of detaching the supporting brace. Figure 10 is a fragmentary view'showing the detachablehinge connection yof the side member "of the support.

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the hingev connection on theA Figure J13 is a view similar to Figure 12 showino' the position which the'binder clamp plate occupies therein.

.' Figure14is a fragmentary view of the adjustable supporting brace.

`the post lock lon the line 17-17 of Figure 16.-

` Figure V15 is an enlarged sectional viewon A.the line `15-f1t'i of Figure 14.

Figure 16 isa, View looking at the rear endof the bindershowing the thereof. in section.l f v .y Figure 17 is ane'nlarged sectional view of Figure 18 isjal'sectional view von the line 184418' of Figure l17.

Figure'19 is an enlarged longitudinal view oftheextensible locking pin for'locking the leaves in the'binder.

"As shown on the drawings:

' he binder support lis *constructed with a invention also.v has other important clamp plates pair. ofparallel supporting rails 'or strips 1,

which are suitablyspaced and have afoot or bearing 2, ateach end which may be of rubber so, as not to mar `the surface upon which support is placed. 4vAnangular divisioii plate 3, which has a supporting and stiffening flange 4, at each side thereof has strips 1, by means of the screws as shown in Figure 2, or otherwise sol as to be secured transversely thereto, intermediate ofthe `ends of the strips V1, and hold `the strips inthe desired separated thereby. f The sides- 5 and 6, of this division plate .are inclined downwardly from vthe elevated center thereofj and serve to support, or co:- operate with posts of the binder placed thereon, to support the butt or binding edges of the leaves of the binder when mounted thereon and may be termed end members. f f The inclined side 5 isl designed to support the leaves of thebinder in the initial posi-` tion' ready` for selection and manipulation by the operator and ha'sa number of rows of slots or elongated perforations 7, said rows being parallel with the upper edge of For adjustably supporting the .plateA 8,. at`

various degrees of inclination there is a bracket thereunder comprising a U-shaped brace 11, the intermediater portion of which engages the outer face of the plate 8, and the arms of which aretelescoped in 'the'tubes or sleeves 12, which latter are pivoted at relation and be supported,

Athe ends of the flanges connected with the loo their lower' ends tothe outer v`ends of the i strips 1, as at' 13,y so `that `the bracket may be swung to enga-ge at different places against the plate-8. These tubes y12 *are slotted longitudinally as atf 14, and the'edges of the slots are oppositely notched at intervals, as, at 15,`and there is a thumb screw- 16 inserted through the slot v and threaded into the lower end of .each arrn of the U-shapedvation. y

The plate 8 is shown herein as constructed o'f sheet metal,` although it iiiay be otherwise niade if desired, and has a pair of suitably spaced lugs orihooks19 adjacent theupper edge thereof anda similar pair'of lugs or hooks 20. spaced a distance from said upper edge, which saidv lugs .or hooks arestamped outwardly from thel sheet 'metal `plate 8 or otherwise provided on the outer face thereT of so as .to engage theintermediate portion of the U-shaped brace 11 at several places and. permit quick adjustment of the platev retaining vmeans to prevent such separa.-

tion of the brace. 11 from the plate S as would allow the plateA tol drop down to an excessive extent, and at the same time per# mits adjustment `of this brace to engage either set of lugs 19 or 20. The upper end of this strap engages .under a clip 22, and forms a snap fastening to permit assembling and removing the brace 11 from confinement i by the strap 21, as shownin Figure 9.k

The other face 6, of the angle plate 3,

is adapted to engage the butt or binding edges of the leaves of the `binder as they are transferred from the other side of the support and has a row of slots 23, along the lower edge thereof through `which the lugs 24, at the lower edge of the plate or side member 25, are inserted to permit pivotal vmovement of said plate, this plate, together with vthe face6, of the division plate 3, forming atray to receive the detached cover 26 of the binder and the disposed-of leaves.. Thisplate 25, similarly to the plate 8, is provided with a pair of spaced outwardly stamped hooks or lugs 27, adjacent the upper` edgek and' asimilar pair 28, at a distance fromthe' upper edge, each pai:1

being vadapted to4 engage the intermediate portion of the U- shaped brace 29the arms ofwhich are pivoted at 30 to the outer'ends of the strips 1, so .that 4it may be swungl to engage either set of lugs 27 or 25:, to hold the plate 25 in two positions of adjustment. Notches 31 are provided onfthe inner face of 'each strip 1 adjacent the slots 7. and 23 at the base of the plates aand 6, respectively, yto admit theattaching lugslO 24 respectively.' Y V i Thebinder support maybe usedor may be adapted to be used' with any desired type of binder, but llave shown herein a type of binder which' prefer to use'there with, comprising `the covers 9 and 26, each of which has a clamp plate or shelll32` and 33, respectively, `hinged. to the inner edge' thereof. These clamp plates are adapted to be connected together to hold'` the. leaves vofthe binder therebetween and may be dis` connected not only to permit .removal of the leaves but also to be placed in separated position on 'the tray or support to enable section and `removal and replacement f of the leaves bythe operator tov be easily effected.

-Inv'the methodemployed quite extensivelyy at the present ltime for' keeping records', it is customary to remove the leaf entirely fromthe binder and make the entr-y thereon whereupon it is-returned to its proper posif tion in the binder, and'it is necessary, in

order that this may be conveniently done,

thatthe leaves may be readily removed or lifted directly offwithout hindrance by or the needof disengagement from any lock` ing contrivances that may 'be employed for holding the leaves'. in place in the binder, and itis also necessary that such lockingV contrivances be employed to hold theleaves securely in the binder when it is-assembled or closed. It is also desirable thaty the leavesV may be held in `proper alignment when placed on the plate 5 against the support 8,' and` that they mayalso beeasily. and

quickly replaced in proper alignment at the other sidevof the ytray on the'support 25, or that ycertain leaves indicated at 40 may. beset aty one side of or out of alignment with the other leaves` and. thejbinder assembled with the leaves" boundin this position as shown in ,F igurel y16.,.to thatv such leaves may be readily distinguished from the others owing-to the .fact that theyare y placed in the -binder so that they project bevondl the side Aofthe other leaves. j v

In order that the'foregoing maybe accomplished, the leaves 84, of the binder are provided at their inner edges with notches 35', which are equally spaced from eachother and enti-rely open atQthebutt edge of the leaf and vserve as guides to engage posts of the binder and insure the` desired alignment or offsetting of the leaves', and inter.- mediate of the notches 35, the leaves Behave perforations 36, which are equally spaced from each other and from' the notches 35,

by` a locking pinof the binder to hold the. leaves from removal therefrom.k

10ev i The covers of the binder are made eXtra long so as to cover the offset leaveslthfasA shown in Figure 16, and are adjustablyconnected together so as to `make a'binder of variable width to accommodate-afgreater or less number of leaves,-and for thisv purpose y theiclamp plate V 32 of thebac'k `cover9 has a pair of sectional lposts 37, permanently atcached thereto and spaced so `as', to be eng gagedby'thejoute'r notches 35, of theleaves V34a when placed inthe normal position,

and there are. corresponding openings 38,1n

andare entirely closed `so as to be engaged f i they opposite clamp plate Y33, through which the posts 37 may be in'sertediand locked in any position of adjiistment by means of locking mechanism, which clamps against the posts 37.

The clamp plates 32 and 33 may be of any i suitable construction` which will effect the and leaves'to'gether?, 'but for the purpose i purpose of. binding andholding the covers of lillustra-tion I have` shown a structure similar to that forming a partof my application, Serial No. 234,611, filed May 15,

i in@` mechanism and also socket blocks 42, 43

1918,'having the clamp plates constructed of sheet metal in the formof a tubular shell, within which the base blocks 39 ofthe stationary postsyand the blocks 41'0f the lockand 44 are secured for holdingl and locking i the various posts in placetherebetween.

The block 41 has a perforation therethrough in line with perforations in the inner and outer walls of the shell 33, through which the ends of the posts 37 are adapted to be inserted, and there `is a groove`45 in a plane parallel with the post opening- 1n the block 41 and leading` ltheremto at an acute angle,

in whichvis mounted a ball'46, which, by

' reason of its movement in the groove 45, is

adapted to wedge againstI the post in theopenatene end to straddle the ball 46 for' con-.

trolling; the operation of the ball. This lever .is engaged byy a spring 48 to normally impel the ball to the'lockingvposition and i has a button 49 at the outer end which projects throughaperforation in yt-he outer wall ofthe clamp plate 33, v`which may be depressed to release the ball fromlocking enn gagement with the post.

A post. 50, similar to the posts 37 and likewise built up of sections so that''the length thereof may be varied, is secured to the clamp plate 33, in position to engage slots 35, of 'the leaves intermediate ofthe posts 37, and there is ay socket block 43, in the opposite clamp plate 32, which is adapted to receive the end .of the post 50, when v.the covers of the *binder are clamped to- 'gethenr The socket 42 is preferably not provided with a locking device to grip the post as the locking' devices for the posts 37v are sufficient to hold the bin-der together, and additional .loc-king devices would serve no useful purpose and would make itless` convenient-to disassemble the bin der. These posts37 and 50, are adapted to vbe, enga-ged only b v the notches85, to hold rthe leaves 54v in thedesired alignment and inasmuch asthe notches 35 are entirely open at the outer ends, the leaves. v may be readily inserted on the posts 37 and 50 and removed therefrom without any interference whatsoever. i

For locking .the leaves in the binder I have provided a `lockingpost 5l, consisting cfa sleeve 52, which telescopes thel tube 58,

and has the spring- 54 interposed therein to' normally hold the sleeve and stem extended, the entire separation of the sleeve and stem being prevented by the intereng'aged loops 55 and 56 of the sleeves 52 and 53 respectively.

This stem or post 51, similarly .to the other posts of the binder, is provided with sections as' at 57 and a terminal plug 58, all threaded together so thatl the 4stem maybe lengthened or shortened in accordance with the number' of leaves to be contained in the binder, and there is a socket 42, inthe clamp 32, and a n corresponding socket 44, in the vclamp plate 33 within which said sockets the ends of the post 51 are adapted to seat to hold and oom,-

presssameintermediate thereofto lock the leaves in the binder. The sockets'42 and 44 are closed lat the outerside of the clamp plate preferably by the wall of the vclampl plate so that yaccess may not be had tothe ends of the resilient stem or postito release same without separating the clamp plates of the binder. The lockingpost 51 is arranged centrally of the posts 37 sofas'toI be insertedv normally through' the central perforations 36to`lock the leaves in place, but asthere is a perforation intermediate of each adjoining pair of notches and ask they are all equal'- ly spaced9 certain leaves may be arranged in offset relation with the other leaves and will still have aligning-` notches and perforationsto facilitate pro-per placing of the said certain leaves vand lock same in the offset position by means of the lockingpost 51.`

,The operation is as follows:

In using' the binder and' support, the de# tachable plate`8 is placed in the notches 7 Q so that the space between the plate 8 and theV ,10

upper edge` of the plate 5 will accommodate the number off leaves `in the-binder, and the brace 11 is engagedfwith the upper lugs 19,v

as shown by full lines in Figure, so that the binder may be placed flat thereon without cramping the parts and interfering with the convenient and easy disassembling of the binder. plate S, withthe back cover 9 `thereagainst, and the front ycover 26 is then `detached by pressingr the buttons`49, to release engagea ment of the locking mechanism with the posts37, and the cover 26 is then removed. and laid upon'the plate 25.which is ,supported in the position shown in full lines in Figure 3 byv engagement of the bracket 29l with thelower lugs 28. The posts 37 remain The binder isfthen laidzupon the in engagement with lthe leaves on the plate 5, and thereby maintain the leaves in proper alignment, and the` post `50, which is connected with the cover 26, rests on the plate `tions in the leaves and the leaves may then be removed Without any Yinterference whatsoever.

The plate 8 is then lifted upwardly andA the brace 11 placed under. the lugs 20, which thereby throws t-he upper edges ofthe leaves 34 forwardly in a different angular relation to the plate 5, and results in the upsetting of the leaves somewhat in the manner shown in dotted lines in Figure 3, whereby the upper edges of the leaves are at succeedingly higher elevations and are therefore easily fingered for selection and remo-val. Adjustment of the plate 8 for upsetting the leaves may be `further effected by means of the thumb screw adjustment of the brace 11 with the tubes 12. rllhis adjustment however is intended primarily to compensate for the different placing of the plate 8, in the notches 7, it being intended as a Vrule that the usual use of the binder in the support .will necessitate only the adjustment of the brace 11 against the lugs 19 and 20, which are suitably spaced to provide the proper adjustment to work with the binder and enable such adjustment to be made very quickly.

The leaves 34, resting against the cover 9, in the tray are then selected and removed and entries made on all or part of them,

vand as the work thereon is completed they are transferred to a position against the cover 26, the alignment thereof in this position being readily effected by the engagement ofva slot 35, with the post 50, and in view of the equal spacing of the slots 35 and perforations 36, vcertain sheets may be offset with reference to the other sheets and will still have slots and perforatio-ns thereof in alignment with slots and perforations i of the other leaves on the cover 26. After the leaves 34 have been entirely transferred from the position against thecover 9 to the position on the cover 26, the locking pin 51, is then inserted through the series of `perforations 36 in the leaves so that the end thereof engages the socket 44 in the clampv plate 33, andthe bracket 29, which supports the plate 25, may then be released from engagement with the lugs 28 and placed in engagement with the lugs 27, as shown by dotted lines in Figure 3, so as to permit the cover 26 of the binder to lay down somewhat flatter and enable the cover y9 to be more readily connected therewith. The cover 9 is then placed in position on the leaves 34, which aie now supported on the cover 26, andthe posts 37 are laid in their respective slots and inserted in the openings the socket 44, in the clamp plate 33, and the in the locking blocks 41, and at` the sani-e 4time the post 50 is'` inserted in the-socketx43 in the clamp platev32, and the end ofthe n extensible locking pin 51 is directed intoclainp plates' are pressed together until'they fit tight against the leaves therebetween. The extensible pin 51,` which maybe made in any length, because of the' sectional con` struction, is compressed `by the approxima-A tion of the clamp plates 32 and33, and engages iii the sockets 42 and 44, and inasmuch as the outer ends of these sockets are closed the locking pin automatically holds its position and it is impossible .to release the same without disengaging and separating the clamp plates 32 and 33.

1n order to insure locating the cover 9 and cla-mp plate 32 in proper position on the tray or rack, I have provided the pins 60, on

lower edge thereof, which pins engage the perforations r61 in the outer wall `ofthe clamp plate 32, when the clamp plate is placed in the proper position, and hold the the inner face of the plate' 8, adjacent the cover and posts of the binder in the pro-per position on the support.`

For holding the other cover 26 of theV binder in proper position on the support l. i

make use of the buttons 49, which operate the locking mechanism', and which project from the outer face of the clamp plate 33, and provide slotted perforations 62, in the lower edge of the plate 25, which receive these pins and facilitate the placing of the cover 26 in position and also permit the clamp plate 33 to lie against the plate 25 without retracting the buttons 49. The, plate 25 is valso provided withslots 63, in alignmentl with the openings for the posts in the locking blocks 41 so that the stems 37 may be 'inserted therethrough v when the binder is clamped together. o-f the plate 6 is preferably recessed as at 64 to admit the vclamp plate 33 therein' so that the edges of the leaves 34 will `butt against the plate 6 and be held thereon in i perfect alignment.

The lugs `24, whereby the plate 25 is pivotally connected to the plate`6, are bent 'so that'the plate 25 has `the required pivotal movement and may also be laid down flat against the strips 1, by disengaging the4 bracket 29 from the strap 65 with which the plate 25 is provided and* which is similar to the strap 21 of the plate 8, and the flange 4, at that side of the division plate 3, j is provided .with slots 66, to accommodate the buttons 49 and the projecting ends of the stems 37 at such time. f

The lower end izo While l have shown and describedmy in-` of my invention, and I therefore do not pur-` j y pose limiting the `patent granted hereon sitely inclined endmembergan'd side members pivotally supported intermediate their ends and detachahly conne'ctible at their lower margins withsaid inclined end mem-r bers at different vertical heights In testimony whereof l have vhereuntoy subscribed my name inthe presence of two subscribingwitnesses.

Witnesses A LAWRENCE REIRSTRIN, CHARLES W. HILLsyJr.

CHARLES R. FARGO. y 

